Article on IBS:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common problem with the intestines. In people with IBS, the intestines squeeze too hard or not hard enough and cause food to move too quickly or too slowly through the intestines. IBS usually begins around age 20 and is more common in women. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. IBS is also called functional bowel syndrome, irritable colon, spastic bowel and spastic colon. It's not the same as inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis. (Refer 1)

Symptoms of IBS:
• Abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort are the main symptoms of IBS
• The abdominal pain or discomfort has two of the following three features:
o It is relieved by having a bowel movement.
o When it starts, there is a change in how often you have a bowel movement.
o When it starts, there is a change in the form of the stool or the way it looks.
• Certain symptoms must also be present, such as
o a change in frequency of bowel movements
o a change in appearance of bowel movements
o feelings of uncontrollable urgency to have a bowel movement
o difficulty or inability to pass stool
o mucus in the stool
o bloating
• Bleeding, fever, weight loss, and persistent severe pain are not symptoms of IBS and may indicate other problems such as inflammation, or rarely, cancer.
The following have been associated with a worsening of IBS symptoms
• large meals
• bloating from gas in the colon
• medicines
• wheat, rye, barley, chocolate, milk products, or alcohol
• drinks with caffeine, such as coffee, tea, or colas
• stress, conflict, or emotional upsets
• Researchers have found that women with IBS may have more symptoms during their menstrual periods, suggesting that reproductive hormones can worsen IBS problems.
• People with IBS frequently suffer from depression and anxiety, which can worsen symptoms. (Refer 2)




Causes of IBS:
• People who suffer from IBS have a colon, or large intestine, that is particularly sensitive and reactive to certain foods and stress. The immune system, which fights infection, may also be involved.
• Researchers have reported that IBS may be caused by a bacterial infection in the gastrointestinal tract. Studies show that people who have had gastroenteritis sometimes develop IBS, otherwise called post-infectious IBS.
• Researchers have also found very mild celiac disease in some people with symptoms similar to IBS. People with celiac disease cannot digest gluten, a substance found in wheat, rye, and barley. People with celiac disease cannot eat these foods without becoming very sick because their immune system responds by damaging the small intestine.
• Normal motility, or movement, may not be present in the colon of a person who has IBS. It can be spasmodic or can even stop working temporarily. Spasms are sudden strong muscle contractions that come and go.
• The lining of the colon called the epithelium, which is affected by the immune and nervous systems, regulates the flow of fluids in and out of the colon. In IBS, the epithelium appears to work properly. However, when the contents inside the colon move too quickly, the colon loses its ability to absorb fluids. The result is too much fluid in the stool. In other people, the movement inside the colon is too slow, which causes extra fluid to be absorbed. As a result, a person develops constipation.
• A person's colon may respond strongly to stimuli such as certain foods or stress that would not bother most people.( Refer 2)
•
Treating IBS: Probiotics

During a recent experiment at the American College of Gastroenterology, the useful functions of probiotics were highlighted, mainly in eliminating IBS distress. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that help reduce the growth of harmful organisms in the digestive tract. Some studies suggest probiotics may reduce the occurrence of diarrhea. (Refer 3) The probiotic was effective enough to regularize bowel movements for those having severe constipation and also for people suffering from loose motions.
• Several new tests are being conducted on the usefulness of probiotics for IBS. According to reports, probiotics have been able to improve bloated ness and eliminate severe cramps.
• The regular use of probiotics may eventually help in irritable bowel syndrome.
• Some of the bacteria, which are usually found in probiotics, are natural residents in our digestive tracks. Their major function in eliminating IBS is that of a fighter, probiotics help our immune system to ward off harmful bacteria and give protection against infections. Excess use of anti-biotics, low-nutrition diet and major surgeries disrupt the normal functioning of the intestines, probiotics helps in alleviating such intestinal turmoil.
• Probiotic products, which contain living microbes that aid digestion, may help relieve the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, according to Dr. Nourieh Hoveyda and colleagues from University of Oxford, UK. (Refer 4)
• Beneficial bacteria that help balance the intestinal flora, boost the immune system and fight disease.
• Helps treat diarrhea, constipation, IBS, vaginitis, colitis, yeast infection, low immune function, chronic candidiasis and indigestion.
• Prevents and reverses infection by harmful bacteria
• Essential for optimum intestinal health and regeneration.
Probiotic supplements have now been widely embraced and accepted as agents that can bring significant health benefits including: (Refer 5).
• Enhancement of the immune system.
• Antimicrobial effects inhibiting intestinal and food poisoning pathogens.
• Improvement of gut functions by normalizing micro flora balance, reducing constipation and improving intestinal mobility.
• Treatment of diarrhea including infantile, traveler's and antibiotic induced diarrhea.
• Nutraceutical effects including contributing to the reduction of serum cholesterol, management of diabetes and prevention of osteoporosis.
• Improved nutrition through the enhanced breakdown of vitamins, minerals and amino acids and their absorption through the intestinal walls.
• Cleansing of the bloodstream by making it freer of toxins.
• Prevention of infection by harmful bacteria.
Because of the essential nature of beneficial bacteria, the tendency to lose them as we age leaving us open to infection and disease regular and the benefits listed above probiotic supplementation is now widely recommended.
Delivering probiotics Alive: Jarrow formulas jarro Dophilus EPS ®is enteric-coated to protect against the salvia, stomach acid and other digestive secretions. Because of its coating, jarro Dophilus EPS ®, containing 5 billion live organisms per capsule , bypasses the acid barrier and thereby provides superior results with fewer capsules.
Bacteria and fungi enter our systems literally all the time from the surrounding environment. However, most do not get far enough to activate the body's immune system or exert any other effects. This is because, just as they skin serves as a physical barrier to invasion, so too do the linings and secretions of the digestive tract. The mucosal tissues that line the GI tract from one end to the other prevent most unwanted organisms from entering the body. These tissues are largely unbroken and they are constantly sloughing off their linings, carrying off bacteria as they do so. Our salvia is part of this system. Salvia not only helps in swallowing and aids the digestion of starches, but also acts as an early part of the immune systems line of defense. It possesses antiviral and antifungal properties, and it interacts positively with the anti bodies produced by the mucous membranes.
Jarrow Formulas' Jarro Dophilus EPS ® (Probiotic Supplement) is enteric-coated to protect against the salvia, stomach acid and other digestive secretions. Because of its coating, Jarro Dophilus EPS ®, containing 5 billion live organisms per capsule , bypasses the acid barrier and thereby provides prior results with fewer capsules.
Jarro-Dophilus EPS (Probiotic Supplement) supplies eight strains of bacteria in order to offer a broad range of protection and benefits, including:
ïÆ'Ëœ Compatibility among the strains.
ïÆ'Ëœ Ability to survive passage through the digestive tract.
ïÆ'Ëœ Stability under normal gastric conditions.
ïÆ'Ëœ Resistant to bile salts.
ïÆ'Ëœ Adherence to intestinal mucosa.
ïÆ'Ëœ Safety with regard to human use.
ïÆ'Ëœ Production of antimicrobial substances.
ïÆ'Ëœ Antagonism against pathogenic and putrefactive bacteria.
ïÆ'Ëœ Stability during storage under normal conditions.,
ïÆ'Ëœ Contains several strains appropriate to the different regions of the intestinal tract (Refer 6)
Now Natural Nutrition Marketing Pvt Ltd is importing and Marketing Jarro Dophilus (Probiotic Supplement) in India . For product information visit: www.nnindia.com

About Author / Additional Info:
References:
1 www.familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/digestive/disorders
2 www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/ibs
3 www.coloncleansezone.com/irritable-bowel-syndrome
4 www.bipolarblast.wordpress.com
5 www.digestivesplus.com
6 Probiotics:Enhancing delivery&Stability- Dallas Clouatre